We Set Out to Share Power Through Participatory Grantmaking in Africa. Here’s What We Learned

Despite ongoing efforts, global philanthropy remains largely an elitist, top-down process. That colonial model, however, is starting to change. In recent years, there has been a concerted push to make philanthropy more democratic, responsive and inclusive by shifting power to the affected communities and constituencies that we seek to serve. One exciting way to share power is through participatory grantmaking—the practice of ceding grantmaking power to affected community members and constituencies.